Jorginho’s reflections on life under Mikel Arteta have offered a rare glimpse into the emotional side of Arsenal’s title push, with the former midfielder admitting he struggled to “play with joy” during his time at the club.
Speaking to The Times, the Italy international explained that his decision to leave the Gunners in 2025 and return to Brazil with Flamengo was driven less by conflict and more by a need to feel valued on the pitch again. His comments arrive at a moment when Arsenal remain firmly in the Premier League title race, adding further context to the squad dynamics behind the scenes.
Jorginho explains Arsenal exit under Mikel Arteta
Jorginho joined Arsenal from Chelsea in 2023 as an experienced option in midfield, but across two seasons he found regular starts difficult to secure. Out of 79 appearances, only 27 came from the beginning, a pattern that ultimately shaped his decision to move on.
“I want to feel alive and important for the team. When a player is not on the pitch, it’s hard to keep motivated. I felt I needed to go somewhere where I was going to play with joy.” — Jorginho, via The Times
His comments suggest the challenge was less about tactical disagreement and more about rhythm and involvement. For a player used to dictating tempo, limited minutes made it difficult to maintain both form and motivation.
Set-piece focus raises balance debate
Jorginho also touched on Arsenal’s heavy reliance on set-pieces, a defining feature of their recent success. While acknowledging the effectiveness of dead-ball routines, he compared the approach to structured preparation rather than expressive football.
“It does feel like homework. But when you do your homework and then you have the test, you have a good result.” — Jorginho, via The Times
He was careful not to criticise outright, instead highlighting the need for balance. According to the midfielder, over-focusing on one aspect, even if productive, risks diminishing the overall fluidity of the game.
From the matches we’ve covered involving Arsenal this season, their set-piece efficiency has undeniably been a major factor in tight fixtures. However, Jorginho’s remarks reflect a broader discussion about whether results-driven systems can occasionally come at the expense of attacking freedom. That said, it remains too early to conclude that this balance has negatively impacted their overall style.
Title race view: “They are strong enough”
Despite his personal frustrations, Jorginho made it clear he still believes Arsenal have what it takes to end their long wait for a Premier League title.
He urged the squad to avoid dwelling on past near-misses, instead focusing on their current position and strengths.
“I hope they forget about the last few years. If they think about it, then they could put pressure on themselves.” — Jorginho, via The Times
Key Insights
- Jorginho left Arsenal primarily due to limited playing time and lack of involvement
- He described his experience as lacking “joy” despite no personal issue with Arteta
- Arsenal’s set-piece dominance remains effective but raises stylistic questions
- The midfielder still backs the Gunners to win the Premier League title
What’s Next
Arsenal’s title challenge is set to intensify in the coming weeks, with decisive fixtures likely to define their season before May 2026. Arteta’s squad will need to balance consistency with performance levels as pressure builds.
Do Arsenal’s results justify their structured approach, or should they prioritise a more expressive style as the title race reaches its climax?
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